There are Exceptional Nigerians who have won a Grammy award for their outstanding performance and contributions at various artistic levels. A lot of people think it is just ace musicians Burna Boy and Wizkid (who are one of the 2021 Grammy Award Winners ) that have won a Grammy award in Nigeria. Well, be informed that they are not the only Nigerian superstars who have bagged the prestigious Grammy Award. Talented Nigerian artists in the music industry across the globe have been wining Grammy awards from far back 1980’s. Women, men, singers, songwriters, and even drummers are among the Nigerians who have won a Grammy award.
Although the prowess of these artists ain’t sung from time to time, it is worthy to note that they are all exceptionally impactful hence they have a Grammy award to their name. Are you ready to get acquainted with the amazing Nigerians who have won a Grammy Award? Let get to know them.
Nigerians Who Have Won A Grammy Award
(1) SADE ADU
Prolific singer and songwriter, Sade Adu who has been making a very great impact in the global music sphere is Nigerian and a Grammy Award winner. The beautiful songstress whose voice is as captivating as her face is born to a Nigerian father and British mother. She lived her early days in Nigeria where she was born. At age four, her parents separated and she moved with her mother and older brother to the “white mans land”. Talented Sade grew into a beautiful lady and went on to bag a degree in Fashion. As destiny would have it, Sade who just enjoyed listening to soul music got intertwined in the music world and found her self writing music for a band.
However, before her debut into music as a member of the band named Pride, Sade was a helping vocalist for her old school friends. As she started off as a singer with the Pride band, her talent gained prominence. It took only a just few years after and Sade was a household name all over Britain. She kick-started her own band named eponymously as SADE. The three-man band with her as the only female and song writer grew widely with fame and splendor.
The Nigerian-born songstress continued doing music impactfully with a total of six albums thus far. Every of her song was a hit back to back. Her prowess in the music craft impacted, shaped, and influenced the contemporary pop music that has made the like of Beyoncé a household name today.
All of Sade’s prowess and talent in the music sphere was crowned with numerous awards including an OBE (Order Of The British Empire) later toped with a CBE ( Commander of the most excellent order of the British Empire). Her outstanding musical impact definitely earned her a Grammy award. Sade is not just one of the Nigerians who have won a Grammy award but the first Nigerian to bag a Grammy. She won her first Grammy award in 1985 as the Best New Artist in the 28th Grammy award show.
After winning that award, she went on to win three more Grammy Awards. Consequently, Sade has won four Grammy Awards with eight nominations so far. Isn’t she amazing? Well, she is currently 62 years old as of January 16th 2021 and we are looking forward to more music and awards to her name.
GRAMMY Nominations & Awards Won By Sade Adu
- 55TH ANNUAL GRAMMY AWARDS (2012)
NominationsBEST LONG FORM MUSIC VIDEOBring Me Home – Live 2011
- 53RD ANNUAL GRAMMY AWARDS (2010)
WonBEST R&B PERFORMANCE BY A DUO OR GROUP WITH VOCALSSoldier Of LoveNominationsBEST POP PERFORMANCE BY A DUO OR GROUP WITH VOCALSBaby father
- 44TH ANNUAL GRAMMY AWARDS (2001)
Won
BEST POP VOCAL ALBUM
Album – Lovers Rock
- 37TH ANNUAL GRAMMY AWARDS (1994)
NominationsBEST R&B PERFORMANCE BY A DUO OR GROUP WITH VOCALPlease Send Me Someone To Love (Track)
- 36TH ANNUAL GRAMMY AWARDS (1993)
WonBEST R&B PERFORMANCE BY A DUO OR GROUP WITH VOCALNo Ordinary Love
- 29TH ANNUAL GRAMMY AWARDS (1986)
NominationsBEST R&B PERFORMANCE BY A DUO OR GROUP WITH VOCALPromise (Album)
- 28TH ANNUAL GRAMMY AWARDS (1985)
WonBEST NEW ARTIST
(2) SIKIRU ADEPOJU
The world-renowned ace drummer and percussionist, Sikiru Adepoju is one of the few Nigerians who have won a Grammy Award. The drummer who is Yoruba by tribe has a powerful mastery of the talking drum and other instruments. He has played with world-class musical lords and graced great podiums with the melody of his beat. Sikiru who has been part of numerous world impactful music bands currently leads his own band.
The talented drum beat master who is based abroad won a Grammy award for best contemporary world music album in the 51st Grammy Award event in 2008. He is yet to bag another Grammy but we have our fingers crossed waiting for his prolific works of art to get recognized yet again.
GRAMMY Award Won By Sikiru Adepoju
(3) HENRY OLUSEGUN SAMUEL
The talented Henry Olusegun Adeola Samuel who is popularly known by his stage name SEAL, is a British singer from Nigeria. Music Crooner Seal was born to a Nigerian mother and a Brazilian father. Although the singer was not born in his motherland, he is very Nigerian and a talented one at that. Seal’s musical prowess is widely appreciated and impactful with numerous recognitions and awards to his name. His amazing achievements and life is well documented on Wikipedia and other online resources.
However, Seal’s global musical achievement has resulted in over fifteen Grammy nominations thus far. He is one of the Nigerians who have won a Grammy award but not just one Grammy. The multi-award-winning songwriter and singer have four Grammy awards win to his name. There are more Grammy to be won by him as he is still very much an iconic singer.
Grammy Nominations & Awards Won By Seal
- 61ST ANNUAL GRAMMY AWARDS (2018)
- 53RD ANNUAL GRAMMY AWARDS (2010)
WonBEST POP COLLABORATION WITH VOCALSImagine
- 52ND ANNUAL GRAMMY AWARDS (2009)
NominationsBEST MALE POP VOCAL PERFORMANCEIf You Don’t Know Me By Now
- 50TH ANNUAL GRAMMY AWARDS (2007)
NominationsBEST MALE POP VOCAL PERFORMANCEAmazing
- 48TH ANNUAL GRAMMY AWARDS (2005)
NominationsBEST MALE POP VOCAL PERFORMANCEWalk On By
- 47TH ANNUAL GRAMMY AWARDS (2004)
NominationsBEST MALE POP VOCAL PERFORMANCELove’s Divine
- 40TH ANNUAL GRAMMY AWARDS (1997)
NominationsBEST MALE POP VOCAL PERFORMANCEFly Like An Eagle (Track)
- 38TH ANNUAL GRAMMY AWARDS (1995)
WonRECORD OF THE YEARKiss From A RoseSONG OF THE YEARKiss From A RoseBEST MALE POP VOCAL PERFORMANCEKiss From A Rose
- 37TH ANNUAL GRAMMY AWARDS (1994)
NominationsALBUM OF THE YEARSeal (Album)BEST MALE POP VOCAL PERFORMANCEPrayer For The Dying (Single)BEST POP ALBUMSeal (Album)
NominationsBEST NEW ARTIST
BEST POP VOCAL PERFORMANCE, MALECrazy (Single)
(4) Babatunde Olatunji
Legendary drum master Babatunde Olatunji was an amazing musical instrumentalist in the US. He was a global icon who graced musical stages with icons such as Bob Malley. He also toured with Martin Luther King Jr, and many others. The Yoruba-born beat master is one of the amazing Nigerians who have won a Grammy award. Baba’s prominence started after he traveled from Nigeria to the United state on a rotary scholarship. He went on to massively impact a lot of people with beats from the talking drum. Sharing his knowledge about Nigeria and Africa while schooling was a fit for him.
After his academic years, Babatunde joined Mickey Hart’s Planet Drum band. He worked with them on many projects creating legendry beats. Movie soundtracks, world tours, and stage performances that made global waves were part of the impact he made.
Babatunde Olatunji played as a part of Mickey Hart’s band projects for the album Planet Drum. He and his group won the Grammy Award for Best World Music Album in 1991. It was the first time the award for that category was given. He also got a nomination for best world album in the 40th Grammy award in 1997. Although Babatunde has left us to the great beyond, his works of art are still making an impact globally. Apart from the Grammy award bagged by him, he was inducted into the Percussive Arts Society Hall of Fame in 2001.
Sikiru Adepoju who is also one of the talented Nigerians who have won a Grammy award is a protégé to Legendary Babatunde Olatunji. In the same vein, Mickey Hart of the grateful dead was one of the amazing legends Baba’ tutored in one of his numerous drumming concerts. A true Nigerian legend birthing other legends right?
(5) LEKAN BABALOLA
Yet again another Drummer and percussionist with mastery in the talking drum is one of the Nigerians who have won a Grammy Award. There is no better way to describe Lekan Babalola than the words used on his website Lekanbabalola.com. He is a double Grammy award-winning Nigerian percussionist and well known for his innovative musical style. The living legend keeps using his native Yoruba tongue infused with traditional music, Afrobeat, and funky dance overtones musically.
A true master in his craft is who Lekan is known to be globally. Born and brought up in Lagos Nigeria, he played the conga frequently before leaving for the United States on a scholarship. The global music art perfected the craft of drumming and instrumentation as he went on to follow his passion instead of studying engineering which he earlier wanted. He bagged two degrees in film production while he continues to play into fame impacting the world.
In 2006 Babalola was awarded a Grammy for his work on Ali Farka Toure’s ‘In the Heart of the Moon’. Subsequently, he bagged his second Grammy in 2009 for his artistic work with Cassandra Wilson on her album ‘Loverly’. This talented two-time Grammy award winner is one of the Nigerians who have won a Grammy award.
(6) Hakeem Temidayo Seriki
Popular American rapper Chamillionaire is a Nigerian named Hakeem Temidayo Seriki. The ace musician is born to a Nigerian father of Yoruba descent. He is one of the Nigerians who have won a Grammy award. As a young lad, he delved into music and gained prominence as a solo rapper. This was after his music group separated in 2005. Thereafter, he signed up as an artist with Universal Records. Under the banner of the Label, Chamillionaire released his first solo Studio album titled The Sound Of Revenge. This album gained global acceptance like every other album and single after it.
One of the hit tracks ,titled Ridin on the album won Chamillionaire his first-ever Grammy award in 2006. The singer has continuously won other fantastic awards from BET and the likes but he is yet to win another Grammy. We look forward to him doing exploits musically again and bagging more Grammys.
GRAMMY Nominations & Awards Won By Chamillionaire
- Won
BEST RAP PERFORMANCE BY A DUO OR GROUPRidin
- Nominations
BEST RAP SONGRidin
(7) KELVIN OLUSOLA
Multi-talented and skilled cello player and beatboxer Kelvin Olusola is broadly known as an American singer. However, the singer who is a master of various musical skills is a Nigerian. Not just a Nigerian-American crooner but an individual who resonates with his Nigerian root. He was born in the united states to a Yoruba father who is a medical practitioner in the states. The singer who is gifted in a lot of musical art is also vast in major languages. He has honed his skills to a point of global recognition. His prominent albums, songs, and instrumentations have earned him numerous fascinating global awards.
Inclusive of these awards are three amazing Grammy’s making him among the Nigerians who have won a Grammy award. The handsome Nigerian bunch of talent who held a traditional Nigerian marriage during his wedding is one artist with great impact. Haven bagged three Grammy awards simultaneously in preceding years we can not deny that Kelvin is an iconic music star. We are proud and delighted in him and his great achievements.
GRAMMY Awards Won By Kevin Olusola
- 59TH ANNUAL GRAMMY AWARDS (2016)
WonBEST COUNTRY DUO/GROUP PERFORMANCEJolene
- 58TH ANNUAL GRAMMY AWARDS (2015)
WonBEST ARRANGEMENT, INSTRUMENTAL OR A CAPPELLADance Of The Sugar Plum Fairy
- 57TH ANNUAL GRAMMY AWARDS (2014)
Won
BEST ARRANGEMENT, INSTRUMENTAL OR A CAPPELLADaft Punk
(8) Cynthia Onyedinmanasu Chinasaokwu Erivo
Beautiful and talented American actress and musician Cynthia Erivo is one of the Nigerians who have won a Grammy award. The songstress who is endowed with an enchanting voice and played the lead role in the heart-melting movie Harriet is a Nigerian. Both parents are Nigerians but she was born and brought up in the united states. Cynthia whose voice is absolutely melodious owns a degree in Drama and art. She is a gifted singer and actress who interprets roles perfectly.
Since her debut into music and acting in 2011, the actress has done well for herself by bagging global awards and recognitions for her talent and impact. A Grammy award is not left out in the bunch of awards signed to her name. In 2016 she won a Grammy for best musical theater. During the 63rd Grammy award, she was nominated for best song written for visual.
Although the pretty talented superstar has spent less than a decade in the industry she is doing amazingly well. A tony award to her name, alongside Emmy’s and academy nominations . Cynthia Erivo is one beautifully talented Nigerian artist with many more Grammy’s to be won. She owns and rocks her Nigerian root so well that you can’t help but love her.
GRAMMY Nomination & Award Won By Cynthia Erivo
- 63RD ANNUAL GRAMMY AWARDS (2020)
NominationsBEST SONG WRITTEN FOR VISUAL MEDIAStand Up [From Harriet]
- 59TH ANNUAL GRAMMY AWARDS (2016)
Won
BEST MUSICAL THEATER ALBUMThe Color Purple
(9) JENN NKIRU
Another talented Nigerian female artist is among the Nigerians who have won a Grammy award. Jenn Nkiru is a talented video director with awards and recognitions to her name. She directed Iconic power couple Jay-z and Beyonce’s music video titled APESHIT as a second unit director. Her work of art directing short films and videos is amazing but working on the Brown skin girl video bagged her a Grammy.
Jenn was one of the 2021 Grammy Award Winners for her work in the video Brown skin girl. The budding director with a degree in film making is one of the talented artists to look forward to in the coming years. A lot of Grammys are definitely in store for her as she keeps creating impactful works of art.
(10) Burna Boy
Renowned ace musician Burna Boy is one of the Nigerians who have won a Grammy award. The singer who is widely known in Nigeria and Africa as an Afrobeat singer is one talented star. He has had a steady career in the Nigerian music industry for almost a decade now. His musical fame is recognized globally with a nomination at the 62nd Grammy’s award. On the other hand, he lost the award to another prominent African singer, Angélique Kidjo.
As the singer kept at his craft producing masterpiece in form of music, he was nominated for the best album category again in the 63rd Grammy’s award. Oluwa Burna as he fondly acclaims won the Grammy for the nomination this time around. This is the first Grammy award Burna has ever won. However, he has won a BET award and many others over the years. Fans, music lovers, and well-wishers are looking forward to future music release and Grammy’s to his name.
GRAMMY Nomination & Award By Burna Boy
- 63RD ANNUAL GRAMMY AWARDS (2020)
WonBEST GLOBAL MUSIC ALBUMTwice As Tall
- 62ND ANNUAL GRAMMY AWARDS (2019)
Nominations
BEST WORLD MUSIC ALBUMAfrican Giant
(11) WIZKID
Award-winning Nigerian superstar “Wizkid” who featured in Beyoncé’s “Brown skin girl” is one of our icons. The singer who has been releasing hit songs to the delight of a global audience especially Africans is one of the Nigerians who have won a Grammy award. Wizkid started his musical career in 2010 with the release of the single Holla At Your Boy. The song gained great prominence in Nigeria and in no time the whole of Africa was screaming ‘Star Boy’.
His musical prowess has brought accolades, deals, and recognition over the years. Subsequently, in the 2021 Grammy Award Show, the singer won his very first Grammy. This Grammy is in the Best Video category for the song Brown Skin Girl with Beyoncé and Blue Ivy. Before Wizkid’s win in this year’s Grammy, he was previously nominated for the Grammy awards in 2016 albeit he didn’t win.
It is a well-deserved recognition and win for him this time. We believe this is the beginning of greater Grammy awards to his name. He is one of Africa’s greatest musical artists. Certainly, there will be many more Grammys in different categories for the star boy to win and make us proud.
GRAMMY Award Results for Wizkid
- 63RD ANNUAL GRAMMY AWARDS (2020)
WonBEST MUSIC VIDEOBrown Skin Girl
- 59TH ANNUAL GRAMMY AWARDS (2016)
Nominations
ALBUM OF THE YEARViews
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